U.S. Embassy Calls for Release of Jailed Russian-American Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow called for the release of Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist jailed for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian army. Kurmasheva, who works for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was detained in June and has been in custody since October 18. The U.S. condemns her imprisonment as unjust.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has urged Russia to release Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), who was jailed last week. The embassy described her detention as 'a mockery of justice.'

A court in Kazan convicted Kurmasheva of spreading false information about the Russian army in a closed trial. This came on the same day as U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in prison for similar charges, a ruling also condemned by Washington.

Kurmasheva, a mother of two, was initially detained in June while trying to leave Russia after visiting her mother. She has been held in her native Tatarstan region since October 18. Her detention escalated to criminal charges for allegedly spreading disinformation about the Russian military, an accusation she denies. The U.S. Embassy described her as 'a principled journalist committed to the truth' and renewed calls for her release.

(With inputs from agencies.)